Altered Five Blues Band announces new album produced by Grammy winner
Milwaukee’s Altered Five Blues Band will release their eighth studio album, Hammer & Chisel, on February 27. The record features 11 original tracks and continues the award-winning group’s two-decade run as one of contemporary blues music’s most consistent and hard-touring acts, with performances in 13 countries to date.
The album’s lead single, “I Got It Good,” has been released along with an official video. Inspired by a day filled with positive energy, the track flips the traditional blues narrative by trading heartbreak for joy. It delivers a funky, feel-good groove wrapped in classic R and B influences that include a horn section.
Hammer & Chisel was recorded over four days in Nashville. Frontman Jeff Taylor drives the album with his powerful vocals while the band leans into tight arrangements, sharp guitar work, and lyrics delivered with clarity and attitude. The record moves from the horn-driven opener “I Got It Good” to the cautionary “Who Can You Trust” before closing with the determined message of “The Will of Man.” The band showcases the chemistry that comes from 24 years of working together.
Altered Five describes their process as “hammering away, scraping and chiseling our way forward, carving out our own corner of the blues.” The album title reflects that mindset, serving as a metaphor for their ongoing creative work. Lyrically, Hammer and Chisel examines themes of love, loss, resilience, and personal growth. The set ranges from the hopeful “Lotta Love Left in Me” and the steadfast devotion of “Hell or High Water” to the Delta blues swagger of “Dare Me to Do It.” Other tracks include the rebellious spirit of the title cut and the introspective tone of “Can’t Shake It.”
Produced by multi GRAMMY winner Tom Hambridge, the album also features guest harmonica player Jason Ricci on three songs. Hammer & Chisel highlights Altered Five Blues Band as seasoned musicians who remain committed to evolving their sound while staying rooted in the blues tradition.
